In the country of the rising sun

Retrofitblue – Largest service order around ZAplus to ZIEHL-ABEGG Japan

It is the largest order in ZIEHL-ABEGG Japan’s Retrofitblue programme since its inception. This major order is no coincidence. Years earlier, in 2016, Masahiro Tsujimoto and his team were awarded the contract for 578 of the highly efficient, bionic fan systems for the SARA vegetable farm Kasaoka (Smart Agribusiness Research & Alliance) for the upcoming construction project of one of the most modern and highly innovative greenhouse concepts on 18.3 hectares of new land due to the impressive performance of the ZAplus axial fan system.

Unique engine bearing replacement in the Retrofitblue service package – directly on site

After five years of reliable use of the ZAplus bionic fan systems with premium efficiency components, such as the ECblue motor technology, the motor bearings needed to be replaced in order to maintain the fans’ long service life. With foresight, Masahiro Tsujimoto and his team once again presented their customer with an excellently developed technical service, this time as part of the ZIEHL-ABEGG Retrofitblue programme, which involved replacing the bearings directly on site without stopping production. The proposal, which was perfectly thought out in technical and procedural terms, was well received and the order was placed.

Excellently and meticulously planned and successfully completed

Successful investment for maximum efficiency and ecological responsibility

Following a precisely planned procedure, the ZIEH L-ABEGG service team started this unique motor bearing replacement project while the greenhouse system continued to operate. Using bearing removal devices (pressing machines) for mass replacement directly on site in close cooperation with SARA employees, one team removed and reinstalled the fans while a second team replaced the bearings. After 73 days of perfect teamwork, positively tested vibration runs and the highest satisfaction of the customer, also with the further improved performance, this order was successfully completed.

Retrofitblue project: ZIEHL-ABEGG Japan – replacement of the ECblue motor bearings.
Successful result of the service measure: long service life, further improvement in performance, energy-saving application:

More information about one of the world’s most modern greenhouses with blue technology from ZIEHL-ABEGG

The subtropical climate in regions of Japan requires climatic conditions for high-yielding and professional vegetable cultivation. This is why SARA (Smart Agribusiness Research & Alliance) started a collaboration with climate technology expert and developer of an ambitious climate concept, Van der Hoeven, for the newly planned vegetable farm in 2016. He developed the world’s first greenhouse system with biomass power plants utilising solar energy and made an innovative semi-enclosed greenhouse environment possible. The greenhouse farm is located on a vast area of reclaimed land, Kasaoka Bay, which covers an area of 18.3 hectares, making it the largest farm of its kind in Japan. To power the greenhouses, a clean energy biomass power plant is used, which generates energy by burning palm nut shells: a waste product that has no other use. The new design combines cutting-edge ventilation and air conditioning technologies, such as the bionic, highly efficient ZAplus axial fan system from ZIEHL-ABEGG, with integrated energy-saving ECblue motor technology. The combination with renewable energy technologies creates an efficient, sustainable and cost-effective agricultural system. It is the first greenhouse system of its kind in the world.